What is moral? Why do we have to care about our moral or even social moral? Is that important in Islam? What is the importance of moral value in Islam and what is the importance of morality in Islam? How it will affect us as a human being and as a creature of Allah SWT.
The definitions of moral or morality itself came from the word in Latin word means about manner, proper behavior, and character. Moral is a code of conduct applied and embraced by individual or group of people that distinguishing from right and wrong.
Moral play significant role in human life and social relationship. The moral teaching itself helps us with limitation and guidance of which act is wrong and which act is right. In the view of Islam, there is a clear line of right and wrong and it is classified by moral and immorality.
Those guideline will educate and guide human specifically Muslims to perform good deed and avoid any bad deed. To create a peace and comfortable environment we must applied morality as a benchmark.
“Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but (true) righteousness is (in) one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask (for help), and for freeing slaves, (and who) establishes prayer and gives zakah, (those who) fulfill their promise when they promise, and (those who) are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.”
(QS. Al-Baqarah : 177)
The above verse said that faith or righteousness will be measured by how we behave or what we have been done every day and every time. It means that we need a good morality to be a righteous person in front of Allah. It also means that morality is our key to find the blessing from Him. You may want to read about akhlaq of prophet Muhammad.
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The Basic of Morality in Islam
A Muslim should have a good morals and it was clear for us, there is no conflict about that. But Muslims not only asked to be virtuous but they should also enjoin virtues in each of their actions. Why Muslims have to enjoin virtues?
Allah SWT and The Prophet Muhammad give us guidance and example that we should give benefit to other people. Give them example from ourselves to avoid bad deed or evil act, but not only that we should also help them avoid that things also. As mentioned in the following hadith,
“My Sustainer has given me nine commands: to remain conscious of God, whether in private or in public, to speak justly, whether angry or pleased, to show moderation both when poor and when rich, to reunite friendship with those who have broken off with me, to give to him who refuses me, that my silence should be occupied with thought, that my looking should be an admonition, and that I should command what is right.”
The above hadith has clearly said about what we have to do as a Muslims. Be righteous, be a great example of other people, always remind Allah SWT in every acts we did, do not let our mind in vacant and always do what is right in the sight of Allah SWT. You may want to read about ways on how quran controlling your brain.
The concept of moral teaching is how we limit ourselves in thinking and behaving. As Muslims, we should also increase our manners and behavior and also treat other people gently. Moral as mentioned before is a basic part of code of conduct. It rules people individual behavior as well as social behavior. A good morals will give a good impact to a person or society as follows,
- Good morals will lead people to be humble and helpful towards other. It will create a good environment and society. While a good environment and society will help people to develop their life aspects both physically, mentally, and economically.
- Morals is unwritten law for people to act and behave in a good way. How they treat other people, the one in needs, or to their family will affected by morality. A person who enjoin good morals will treat other people equally and wisely.
- Good morals helps Muslims to always remember of Allah SWT and His Messenger. We will condition ourselves as a servants of God. Practicing charity, fasting, and donation are the result of good morals.
- Good morals also avoid Muslims for any prohibition acts. It will also develop people to be better person and committing to the welfare of society. It will create advanced civilizations and avoid bad behavior and crime in society.
As mentioned in the following verse,
“Say, ‘My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know.'”
QS. Al-A’raf : 33
Muslim are required to avoid immorality. Since immorality lead people to astray and sins, which the deed of evil and satan. Therefore the perfect person among all in Islam is the one who have good manners. As mentioned in the following hadith,
“Indeed the most perfect among the believers is of the best of morals.”
“Nothing will be put on man’s scale on Resurrection Day better than good manners.”
The hadith means that good manners will give us benefit in the hereafter. It will help us when the Judgement Day has come and help us to enter the paradise and achieve His blessings. You may want to read about ways on how fasting can improve you discipline.
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Concept of moral teaching in Islam is actually the basic of faith that guide us to keep closer to Allah SWT. As mentioned in the following verse,
“The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children. But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart. And Paradise will be brought near [that Day] to the righteous. And Hellfire will be brought forth for the deviators.”
QS. As-Shu’ara : 88-91
That is how Muslims should understand about the concept of moral teaching in Islam yet how we should keep our morals to increase faith towards Allah SWT.